SPEAKER RECEIVES NOMINEES TO SERVE ON THE SECTION 89 PANEL OF EXPERTS

Parliament, Friday, 02 September 2022 - National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has received a total of 17 names of candidates, nominated by various political parties represented in the NA, to serve on the Independent Panel of Experts to probe the Phala Phala farm matter. By the deadline of 1 September at 16h00, 12 of the 14 political parties in the National Assembly had submitted their nominations to the Office of the Speaker.

The Rules state that the panel must consist of three fit and proper, competent, experienced and respected South African citizens, which may include a Judge, and who collectively possess the necessary legal and other competencies and experience to perform the preliminary assessment of the motion. If a Judge is to be appointed, the Speaker must do so in consultation with the Chief Justice.

In terms of the Rules, the Speaker must appoint the Panel after giving political parties represented in the Assembly a reasonable opportunity to put forward nominees, and after she has given due consideration to all persons so nominated.

Of the 17 persons nominated, 12 are retired and serving judges and 5 are Advocates of High Court, Senior Counsels and Law Academics.

After a careful consideration of the names at her disposal, the Speaker will appoint the Panel to begin the probe.

The independent panel’s core function will be to conduct a preliminary assessment of the proposed motion, and in so doing, must in terms of Rule 129G, make a recommendation to the Speaker within 30 days, whether sufficient evidence exists to show the President committed any of the violations specified in the motion.

Statement issued by Moloto Mothapo, Parliament, 2 September 2022